Shirakawa-go One-Day Tour (Includes Observation Deck)

▼Hida Takayama（150 minutes, including free time for lunch）

Stroll through the Historic Streets of Takayama

Located in the northern part of Gifu Prefecture and at the centre of the Hida region, the city centre of Takayama has preserved the complete layout of a castle town and merchant town dating back to the Edo period, earning it the nickname “Little Kyoto of Hida”. Visitors can take a leisurely walk through the “Sanmachi” district, which was built during the Meiji and Taisho eras, savour local delicacies such as Hida beef and Takayama ramen, and admire handicrafts that showcase the superb skills of Hida craftsmen. Hida Takayama is full of charm at every turn.

The historic streets of Takayama, known as Sanmachi, include areas such as Ichinomachi, Ninomachi and Sannomachi. Takayama is also known as “Little Kyoto of Hida”, and the old buildings and streets here are reminiscent of the rich traditional scenery of Kyoto. The machiya townhouses here feature architectural styles commonly seen in the Edo period, and with the gentle flow of streams in front of the houses, it feels as though you have stepped back 400 years into an Edo‑era neighbourhood.

And when you are in the historic streets of Takayama, trying “Hida beef sushi” is definitely one of the must‑do activities!

Below are two popular shops for Hida beef sushi in the Takayama old town, but if you want to taste the renowned Hida beef sushi, you will need to be a little more patient!

①Kotte Ushi ‑ Hida Beef Nigiri Sushi Speciality Shop（Recommended~）

Address: 34 Kamisannomachi, Takayama, Gifu 506‑0846, Japan

Opening Hours: Daily 10:00–17:00

Menu: Three‑piece Hida beef sushi platter at ¥1,000 (cash only though~)

②Sakaguchiya

Address: 90 Kamisannomachi, Takayama, Gifu 506‑0846, Japan

Opening Hours: 11:00–15:00 (Closed on Tuesdays)

Menu: Two‑piece Hida beef sushi at ¥900 (cash only though~)

Food Recommendations:

Mizō Tengoku

A directly operated store of the JA agricultural cooperative, guaranteeing the quality of its beef. It specialises in Hida beef and also offers a small selection of seafood, pork and chicken. The menu is bilingual in English and Japanese, with a platter selection on the last page. The Mizō Mori platter, for 2 to 3 people, is the most comprehensive option, allowing you to taste virtually every cut of beef.

Address: 4－147 Hanazono, Takayama City; Opening Hours: 11:00–14:00, 17:00–21:00 (Closed on Tuesdays); Average Budget (JPY): Lunch ¥3,000～¥3,999, Dinner ¥4,000～¥4,999

Tel: +0577‑37‑1129 (Reservations not accepted on public holidays; reservations accepted on weekdays, please book at least one week in advance)

Maruaki Hida Takayama

It is a designated speciality shop for Hida beef, offering grilled meat as well as set meals. All the beef is authentic Hida beef that melts in your mouth, leaving a taste so unforgettable that you will remember it for a lifetime. If you come to Takayama, you must try a meal at Maruaki.

Address: 6‑8‑1 Tenman‑cho, Takayama City; Opening Hours: 10:00‑22:00; Average Budget (JPY): Lunch ¥2,000～¥2,999, Dinner ¥6,000～¥7,999

Tel: 0577‑35‑5858 (No reservations accepted)

Kotte Ushi Hida

The most popular beef sushi shop in Takayama City.

Address: 34 Kamisannomachi, Takayama City; Opening Hours: 10:00‑17:00; Average Budget (JPY): 999; Tel: +81‑577‑37‑7733 (No reservations accepted)

▼Shirakawa‑go Gassho‑zukuri Village（90 minutes）

Shirakawa‑go is surrounded by mountains on all sides, with paddy fields crisscrossing the landscape and gentle streams flowing through, earning it the title of the kingdom of forests and streams. Among the three villages registered as World Heritage Sites (Shirakawa‑go and Ainokura and Suganuma in Gokayama), the Ogimachi village of Shirakawa‑go has the largest number of households, with 152 homes. The Great Shirakawa River, which flows from the sacred peak of Mount Haku, turns snow‑white and turbid after merging with the Shogawa River, and this is the origin of the name Shirakawa‑go. Shiroyama Viewpoint is located in the northeastern part of the Ogimachi Gassho‑zukuri village in Shirakawa‑go, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the gassho‑zukuri houses and the sprawling Mount Haku.

Food Recommendations:

[Oto] ‑ A Gassho‑zukuri Old Farmhouse Café that Appeared in the Popular Manga ONE PIECE

This café in a gassho‑zukuri old farmhouse even appeared in Chapter 566 of the globally popular manga ONE PIECE! The big dog, the coffee cups decorating the interior, and the azuki bean porridge served with rice dumplings over the irori hearth are all well known. The author of ONE PIECE, Mr Eiichiro Oda, who visited this shop, kept his promise and featured the illustration and the manga scene from Chapter 566 of ONE PIECE in colour inside the shop (Volume 58 of the comic).

Address: 792 Ogimachi, Shirakawa Village, Ono District, Gifu Prefecture; Opening Hours: 10:30～17:00; Average Budget (JPY): 999; Tel: 090‑5458‑0418

Depart and return to Nagoya Station to conclude the tour.

Disband in front of Nagoya Station (at the MINI STOP convenience store behind BIC CAMERA, west exit of Nagoya Station)